Totem Pole Cactus. Pachycereus schottii var. monstrosus, Cactus Family ( Cactaceae ), Totem Pole Cactus. Also Called: Lophocereus schottii var. monstrosus, Cereus schottii var. monstrosus, Pilocereus schottii var. monstrosus, Lophocereus schottii f. monstrose. We wish to thank Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia for some of the information on this page. We share images and information with Wikipedia. Columnar, basally branching, slow growing up to 12 feet tall. Stems 4 to 8 inches in diameter; 5 to 10 ribs; areoles on the bottom part of the stems are woolly, oval, 0.12 to 0.2 inch wide, with one to 15 spines, 0.1 to 0.3 inch long; upper areoles 0.3 to 0.6 inch wide, 20 to 75 spines , 1.2 to 4 inches long. Its strange, mostly spineless shape (picture 2) can be very attractive for landscape use. It is also less frost resistant, and should be protected below 25�F The monstrose form of Lophocereus schottii usually does not flower or seed, all specimens in cultivation must have at one time been propagated vegatively. Quick Notes: Height: Height to about 3 feet. Spreading to about 6 feet. Flowers: The monstrose form of Lophocereus schottii usually does not flower or seed, all specimens in cultivation must have at one time been propagated vegatively. If it does flower, they are white. Fruit: If it does flower & fruit; the fruit are green - gray, spineless fruit, 1 to 1-1/2 inches long, 3/4 to 1 inches in diameter dry when ripe. Seeds 3/10 inches in diameter, rounded, smooth, and cream colored. Blooming Time: March - April.. Stems: Green stems are slim, lightly pruinose with broad rounded protuberances roughly branched and poorly defined. The areoles are few and insignificant. Found: Native to a small area northeast of Playa El Arco, about halfway down the Baja Peninsula, in Baja California, Mexico. Playa El Arco is a tourist destination located right on the tip of the peninsula of Baja California Sur, where the Pacific Ocean, and the Sea of Cort�s meet. Elevation: 0 - 2,900 feet. Hardiness: USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 �C (20 �F) USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 �C (25 �F) USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 �C (30 �F) USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 �C (35 �F) USDA Zone 11: above 4.5 �C (40 �F) Soil pH requirements: 6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic) 6.6 to 7.5 (neutral) 7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline) Sun Exposure: Full Sun Habitat: Lower elevations sandy flats. It grows well in sand, sandy loam. It needs good drainage and aeration. Common xeriscape landscape plant in Arizona. Miscellaneous: Maintenance: Low. Photos Taken At Arrowhead Ranch, Glendale, Arizona. Photos Taken February 2, 2006.

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